Martin Logan Prodigy A speaker for goosebumps


Martin Logan Prodigy – One of the most amazing speakers in the world.....when set up right. And this is the problem, to do it right. That is the reason, why most people do not like electrostats, or at least not the Martin Logan. These are not ready to go speakers, set them down and forget about it? No way! First comes the sweat, and then huge rewards.
I have just returned from a visit to Germany, where I still have a pair of older Martin Logan SL3 speakers, with some really nice German made Mosfet monoblocks and a McIntosh CDP. Not a bad system. One day I was bored and I decided I would try to tweak this system for my father, as best as I could. But to make a long story short: After my experience tweaking these speakers, I understand now exactly, why many audiophiles claim that they have never heard a really good sounding ML speaker.
I was also able to tell at all times that the SL3 was a hybrid speaker in reality. I knew always were the woofer was, the crossover was really audible. I had the impression of two speakers per channel, instead of one. I guess this must be the situation when people claim they have auditioned a Martin Logan speakers and hate the sound. First of all, not very many people will have auditioned a Prodigy though and the chances are that if they did, the speakers were not set up right, or not the right electronics were used to drive these speakers. The Prodigy are one of the most challenging speakers in the world.
Well, after almost 6 month, I can finally tell you a different story and I honestly believe that the Prodigy are some of the finest speakers you can own on the planet. But it was hard work and I had to spend a few bucks to get there.
Allow me first to give you an overview of my current system and tweaks:

AudioMeca Mephisto 24/192 CDP
Wytech Opal pre-amp
2 Wolcott tube monoblocks for the panels
2 German made WBE Mosfet amps for the woofers
All HMS Grand Finale interconnects, speaker cables and power cords
Room tunes and so called Sallies (absorb the back wave, made b Soundlab for their electrostats, but work fine on ML also)
One set of three and one set of 4 Room Lenses and Rollerballs under the CDP, under all amps and the pre and in addition a Mapleshade woodblock under the CDP
I also have the Audiodesk CD lathe, which I use to cut an angle into the cd (I saw this again at the high-end show in Germany and I tell you, it really works) and finally I use Auric cd treatment.

The Wolcott replaced the Bel Canto bridged amps and I finally understood why a few people were praising the ML Prodigy and so many were not. Without the right gear, do not even try to use this speaker, but if you are willing to invest time and some money (but don’t we all do this) these speaker will extremely reward you. But time to set this speakers up is almost as important as the right gear. Toe the speakers in an inch too far and you mess up the bass, put them to closse or too far apart and the soundstage suffers. But if done right: Here comes the WOW factor!
The Wolcott have breathed a new soul into these speakers. Actually the speakers have disappeared when I listen to music. The have the biggest and most refined soundstage I have heard in a long time. I do not hear any crossover between panels and woofers. I have auditioned the Avalon Eidolons with extremely expensive Edge amps, I have auditioned the new Lumenwhite with the new super Vaic SETs. Both of them wonderful speakers, but they were lacking the, what I call, the authority of the Prodigy. When the music sets in with the Prodigy, you know this is not a game anymore. This is serious stuff. The music thunders throughout the room, but never overwhelming, never in your face, never harsh. It is an incredibly refined presentation, which allows you to hear hidden details and you are always aware that here is more in the room than just the music. The music has really come to live with weight, authority and a presence with an almost multi dimensional layer, which I never heard with another speaker before. I have felt completely bathed in music. The music hovers like a shining cloud through the room, the notes have turned into shimmering gold. I have not heard the Soundlab U1 yet, but a gut feeling tells me that this speaker might be in the same league.
After I was able to compare two differnt Martin Logan speakers and being aware how much energy it took to set the Prodigy up right, I really believe that most people did not have the chance to audition a ML Prodigy done right. Nor will they have a chance in the future. You will need a good room, a good setup, so even the numbers of dealers will be rather limited, who can provide everything needed to get these speakers to life and I had almost missed it myself. Had I not bought the Wolcott amps through a lucky coincidence, I would possibly have sold my speakers eventually and blamed the ML speakers for not peforming right.
Now I cannot see another speaker replacing these in a very long time and the electrostatic fever will probably never leave me again.
tekunda
I think it's important to have a dead wall - live wall setup. The wall behind the speakers should be dead (absorbing) and the wall behind the listening position live (reflective). In order to achive this, I have bought the Sallies. Look here for more information: http://www.soundlab-speakers.com/accessories.htm

The Sallies really do a great job absorbing some of the back waves and my soundstage is much more refined now. I also have a set of huge Room Tunes at the first reflection point. But although the ML speakers in general do not reflect too much to the sides, it has helped. Initially my room was far too bright, so I have done a pretty convincing job, taming this lively room. What I also did was placing a nice, heavy rug in front of the speakers. For the rest I have almost the identical set-up as Electrostaticman.
For me another big change were the Wolcott tube amps and the HMS cables. I do not want to tout the HMS cables here, since I am a dealer now of said cables, but on the other hand I would like to share my experiences, if I honesty feel a component or cables have had such a huge impact on my system.
The Wolcott gave me a very detailed soundstage, I now can pinpoint every instrument exactly and the HMS cables gave me the speed needed for a speaker like the Prodigy. Since the Prodigy are very fast speakers, you need extremely fast cables and the HMS are even faster than the cables which claim to be the fastest cables on earth. (But my caveat: I am a HMS dealer now.)
And since we talk about amps and cables, if possible invest the extra money to bi-amp AND bi-wire your speakers. I think four monoblocks is the only way to get the best out of the speakers. They need a lot of power, the panels are huge and the double woofers impressive. I have heard the Prodigy with a stereo amp and bi-amped with 2 monoblocks and finally bi-amped and bi-wired with 4 monoblocks. You will not believe the dynamics gain you get with foru monoblocks.
And this is exactly what I mean when I say that most people probably will never have a chance to audition the Prodigy set up right at an audio store. At least I have never seen the Prodigy set up at a store, driven by four amps and for me, this is really the only way to do justice to these exciting speakers.
My living room is approximately 19ft.deep by 18.5ft wide. 10ft ceiling, speakers are located on either side of rock fireplace approximately 10ft appart and 10ft from the listening possition. The speakers are toed in centered on the listener and approximately 1.5ft from back of speaker to back wall and 5ft from pannel to back wall. The speakers are 1.5 to 2ft from side walls and fireplace. The floors are wood and behind the listner is wall of glass & drapes. furniture leather couche & chair with table. One opening adjacent left speaker and hallway. Wall with partial opening in front of right speaker. As you can see a normal living room,or very live room.
Can you tell us some specifics on the placement of the ML?
What size room, how far apart, how far from the back wall, how much toe-in, etc.
Thanks!
Your lengthy note about the Prodigys reminds me of the time I first heard them at the local dealer. I too was thrilled at the sound and so commented. The rep, who has a very discerning ear, then proceeded to tell me how he wanted to throw them out of the store while struggling to dial them in. But when they finally got them dialed in, they were amazed at the sound. (I'd have them at home here, but we simply do not have the space.)
Thank you Tekunda for your praise of the Prodigy speakers. I agree IMHO these are the best sounding speakers I have heard and now own. I have been extremly happy with my logans, a second generation ml owner. I was pleased with the sound I receive using a ML336 amp, ARC LS1 linestage preamp and the CAL icon/mkii cd player and Monster speaker cables M2.4 cables, M1000i interconnects. I understand this equipment may be outdated and other equipment and cables on the market will even improve the sound of my logans. I agree the speakers require adjustment, small placement adjustments do make a great differance. I have noticed the speakers perform their best at higher volumes,but also sound fine at normal listning levels.
AHHH, Tubes and Martin Logan Isn't love a wonderful thing!!!! I still own and enjoy ReQuests. Hope to hear Prodigy's one of these old days but with prices being what they are I am quite satisfied and still love my "old" ReQuests.